GMA News pillar and veteran broadcaster Mike Enriquez has passed away. He was 71 years old.
The local broadcast and news industry is mourning the death of the 24 Oras anchor who died on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.
Mike’s passing was emotionally announced by fellow broadcaster Mel Tiangco on the Kapuso network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras.
“Malungkot pong ibinabalita ng GMA Network ang pagpanaw ng aming minamahal na Kapuso’t kaibigan, si Mike Enriquez. Siya po ay pitumpu’t isang taong gulang.
“Si Mike po ay halos dalawang dekada nating nakasama gabi-gabi dito sa 24 Oras. Mahigit dalawampung taon din siyang naging host ng public affairs program na Imbestigador.
“Si Mike po ay nagsilbing presidente ng RGMA Network Inc. at naging Senior Vice President and Consultant for Radio Operations ng GMA. Siya din po ang host ng Super Balita Sa Umaga at Saksi sa Dobol sa Super Radyo Dobol B.
“Mahigit limampung taon nang buong pusong naglilingkod sa mga manonood at tagapakinig si Mike na nagsimula sa industriya noong 1969 at naging bahagi ng GMA Network noong 1995.
Mel, together with Vicky Morales and Emil Sumangil, all wore dark colors to grieve the death of Mike.
A video tribute was also played to honor and look back at his almost five-decade career.
GMA Network, on the other hand, released an official statement on the death of the broadcast journalist.
“His dedication to the industry will serve as an inspiration to all.”
Back in December 2021, the late television and radio journalist took a medical leave of absence from GMA to undergo a medical procedure.
He returned to his anchor duties in March 2022 for the Kapuso network’s “Eleksyon 2022” coverage but made no appearance once again in the following months.
In November of the same year, Mike, through fellow broadcaster Arnold “Igan” Clavio, debunked death rumors about him that circulated online.
“Mga minamahal, nakausap ko po si Ama, Mr. Mike Enriquez. Buhay na buhay at ang kanyang mensahe: FAKE NEWS!,” Arnold wrote in a Facebook post.
GMA’s flagship AM station DZBB, meanwhile, reported last May that the broadcaster, who used to head the network’s radio arm, was recovering from his successful kidney transplant and would return once he recuperated enough.
Emil Sumangil is currently taking over as 24 Oras main anchor, which was earlier filled in by Atom Araullo.
Joel Reyes Zobel and Melo del Prado, on the other hand, now host his program Saksi sa Dobol B in Super Radyo DZBB.
Mike also hosted the investigative docudrama Imbestigador, which airs every Saturday.
He was widely known for the lines “Excuse me po!” and “Hindi namin kayo tatantanan!”
Colleagues, fellow journalists and netizens have since expressed condolences and wrote tributes for the late newscaster.
